Officials say Thailand's rescued boys in good health, hungry

The final phase of the operation begins with the rescue chief saying the remaining four boys and the coach, will be "extracted today" alongside three Thai Navy SEALs and doctor who have stayed with them.

The boys were still being quarantined from their parents because of the risk of infection and would likely be kept in hospital for a week for tests, officials said earlier.

Authorities say expected rains may force a complex rescue quicker than first thought.

Celebrations will be tinged with sadness over the loss of a former Thai navy diver who died last Friday while on a re-supply mission inside the cave in support of the rescue.

Eight boys have now been rescued from Tham Luang Nang Non cave in Thailand after a youth soccer team intending to write their names on the wall of the tourist attraction was driven miles into the labyrinth by sudden monsoon rains that seasonally close and flood the caverns. "But we will have a psychiatrist to evaluate them". Bancha Duriyapan told a news conference punctuated by applause from the dozens of Thai and foreign journalists and others in attendance. "If I ask too much, he might not provide it". Last week, Musk sent engineers from two of his companies, SpaceX and Boring Co., to assist Thai officials in the rescue effort, which comprises a large team of worldwide diving, engineering and medical experts, among other professionals.

"Everyone is in high spirits and are happy to get out", Jesada added.

Their friends were full of optimism - and worry.

Somboon Sompiangjai, 38, the father of one of the trapped boys, said parents had been told by rescuers that the "strongest children" would be brought out first.

"Even when my friends have left the cave, I'm anxious about their physical well-being". The group was blocked due to the rising water level in the dungeon. Thai Prime Minister Gen. Prayut Chan-ocha visited the hospital Monday, and spoke to relatives and hospital workers.

1 NEWS' Kimberlee Downs with the latest from Chiang Rai, as four boys and their football coach await rescue.

"As all of us said, the main thing is we still need more than 20 hours to get ready", Narongsak said.

Image: A crowd watches as ambulances transport some of the rescued boysA crowd watches as ambulances transport some of the rescued boys to a hospital on Monday.Lauren DeCicca / Getty Images Three more boys were carried out in the hours that followed, according to a post on the Thai navy SEALs Facebook page. USA military personnel also helped.

The rest four boys and their coach that are still trapped in the cave will be pulled out in a final mission that has resumed on Tuesday.